Zaid “Lil Nightmare” Varela
Last night in Mexico City, the global MMA world was completely stunned. Passionate fans attending LUX 59 witnessed something truly unforgettable on February 27. Inside the cage, Zaid “Lil Nightmare” Varela faced Cesar “El Lira” Escudero. The eager crowd expected a long, grueling war. Instead, Varela secured a brutal armbar submission in exactly 23 seconds of the very first round. Ultimately, the rapid finish left everyone, likely including Escudero, completely bewildered.
The Making of an MMA Star
However, this quick win is no surprise to true fans. During his amateur run, Varela built an astonishing 24-2-0 record, he dominated four national MMA tournaments. He even conquered two different weight categories in one of those events.
Varela discovered the sport at age eight by watching his brother fight. Although his brother had an incredible amateur career, he stopped competing for personal reasons. Consequently, Varela started his own formal training at thirteen. He absolutely loves the intense thrill of fighting. This passion drives him daily.
Rising Through the Pandemic
Interestingly, his intensive training peaked during the 2020 pandemic. Despite a lack of public events, he trained relentlessly for six months, then thrown on his very first fight at a national championship debut. Later, his final amateur bout took place at the Pan-American Championships.
After that, Varela faced a tough choice. He was stuck between entering another world championship or making his pro debut. Thankfully, he chose the professional path. Now, he is setting the stage with a crazy streak of first-round finishes. In fact, all his pro finishes fall under the ninety-second mark.
What Comes Next for Varela?
The shocking 23-second victory at LUX 59 perfectly matches his historic trajectory. “Lil Nightmare” is rapidly becoming a nightmare in the MMA world. Watch the full fight here!
